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PROS

CONS

VERDICT

ROCK BAND Reloaded is a solid rhythm game title with the usual variety of instruments, but while singing is a great addition it doesn't make up for the rest of the game's encore performance.

Full Review

App Store Info

With over a year since the previous release of ROCK BAND on the App Store, Electronic Arts and Harmonix have finally released their next in the series, Reloaded. Much like the first release you're given 15 songs in the initial pack and a handful of paid and free song packs on offer right away. However the real standout feature with this release is the ability to sing your way to victory.

Players can choose to jump in to the role of playing the guitar, bass, drums or vocals of a band and instead of being treated to a narrow vertical orientation a far more comfortable horizontal view is now used. Vocalists can choose to either sing in to the iDevices microphone (or preferably the headphone mic) or tap out the vocal rhythm much like an instrument. The rhythm patterns are sharp and as polished as you'd expect from Harmonix, however outside of a few sustains and slides there's nothing we haven't seen before.

And this is fairly indicative of the whole of Reloaded, because despite some superficial changes and the addition of a vocal recognizer, the game lacks the polish and depth that's sorely needed for this genre. While a tour mode is available there's no band customization, rendering it all but moot to the quick play mode. Also, while the horizontal mode is more comfortable, the lack of a vertical option means your virtual band is all but obscured while playing.

ROCK BAND Reloaded is an improvement over what was a great title last year and still a great purchase for rhythm game fans, but for those already burned out it won't give you your second-wind.

Description

IMPORTANT NOTE: On July 31, our Rock Band games will no longer be available on the App Store, and you won’t be able to purchase songs after that date. For more info, please visit help.ea.com.

ROCK AND RELOAD WITH THE BEST MUSIC GAME ON THE APP STORE! Featuring 35 FREE SONGS, 4 WAYS TO PLAY, VOCAL RECOGNITION, and an ALL NEW set of features. You’ve never rocked it like THIS on iPhone & iPod touch. Get the BEST full band experience on the App Store NOW!

SEE AND HEAR WHAT HAS CRITICS RAVING…
“…everything you’ve ever wanted Rock Band on the iPhone to be.” (Jim Squires, GameZebo.com)
“…you’re going to love it.” (Chris Reed, SlideToPlay.com)

SING YOUR WAY TO THE TOP – WITH ALL-NEW VOCAL RECOGNITION!
Get the best band experience with real vocals! Go beyond guitar, bass, drums, and tap vocals. Give voice to the rock star within you and add a “5TH WAY TO PLAY” for more gameplay depth than ever.

ENJOY MORE CROWD PLEASING FEATURES
You asked. We’ve delivered. Now go wide in LANDSCAPE MODE…Push it to the limit in the new EXPERT MODE…Rock 6 cities and 36 events in the revamped World Tour mode…and earn up to 50 awards and achievements. Made to maximize the RETINA DISPLAY, we didn’t overlook the eye candy, either!

CHALLENGE FRIENDS & GET THE LATEST INFO
Use your Facebook login to access News Center and check out the latest action. Follow your friends’ exploits and directly challenge their accomplishments – just touch and you go right to the same song, instrument, and difficulty level! Rock it, and then throw it back at them!

GET THE BAND TOGETHER ON LOCAL WIFI OR BLUETOOTH
Rock the house via local WiFi and Bluetooth. Play live on guitar, bass, drums, or vocals with up to 3 other bandmates!

** VOCAL RECOGNITION DEVICE & HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS ** To rock on vocals, make sure you’ve got what it takes!
• You NEED an iPhone, iPad, or 2nd generation or later iPod touch (Vocals/Voice won’t work on 1st generation iPod touches because of hardware limitations)
• For a 2nd or 3rd generation iPod touch, you need to plug in an EXTERNAL MIC to activate the Vocals/Voice option
• For a 1st generation iPhone, you need a HEADSET for sound and voice input
In fact, we recommend using a HEADSET for ALL compatible devices. Wear headphones and sing into the mic like a real rock star!